Detroit’s Deputy Mayor Calls It Quits

Lewis served as corporate affairs officer before leaving the administration in 2010 to seek other opportunities. A year later, Bing rehired Lewis as his chief of staff and promoted him to deputy mayor in 2012.
In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Lewis said he plans on returning to the auto industry where he has already secured a job.

“…Hopefully I have been able to contribute to the Mayor’s transformation of Detroit. However, my background and strengths are in the automotive industry and therefore I’m looking forward to returning,” Lewis said.

Lewis has held a number of automotive industry and positions in his career. He worked closely with Bing in the private sector as president of the Bing Group.

“Kirk has been an important part of my business career as well as my tenure as mayor, and he has served well in both capacities,” Bing said in a statement. “I know he has looked forward to getting back into the private sector.”

The announcement comes one day after a state review team declared that Detroit was in a financial emergency with no “satisfactory plan” to get out of it. Gov. Rick Snyder will announce soon whether or not he will appoint an Emergency Financial Manager to reel in the city’s beleaguered finances.

Lewis joins a growing list of appointees who quit or were fired during Bing’s 38-month tenure.